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Differentiating Between Carpenter Ants and Termites in Epping: The Ultimate Guide

Carpenter Ants Vs Termites

As a homeowner in Epping, the last thing you want is to discover pests in your home, but the even worse scenario is misidentifying them. Carpenter ants and termites may look similar, but they are different in many ways, including their size, color, habits, and behavior. In this article, you will learn the key differences between carpenter ants and termites and how to tell them apart to prevent and control them.

Identifying Carpenter Ants and Termites

The first step in preventing and controlling these pests is to know how to identify them. Carpenter ants are larger in size, ranging from ¼ to ½ inch long, and are black or red in color with a distinct waist. On the other hand, termites are smaller, usually, less than 1/4 inch long, cream-colored, and have a straight waist. Another difference is their wings. Carpenter ants have two sets of wings, with the front pair being longer than the hind pair, while termites have four wings of equal size.

Characteristic Carpenter Ants Termites
Appearance Large, dark-colored ants with narrow waist and bent antennae. Light-colored insects with straight antennae and broad waist.
Habitat Live in wood and construct nests inside of it. Live in and feed on wood, construct underground colonies.
Damage Hollow out wood for their nests, causing structural damage. Eat through wood, causing extensive damage to structures.
Wings Have wings, swarmers can fly. Have wings and can fly.

Habits and Behaviors

Carpenter ants and termites have distinct habits and behaviors that set them apart. Carpenter ants tunnel through wood to create galleries and dispose of the wood particles outside the nest. Unlike termites, they do not consume wood. Termites consume the wood to get the cellulose, leaving behind a smooth, hollowed-out surface. Carpenter ants are active at night and are attracted to sweet substances like honeydew, fruits, and nuts. On the other hand, termites are active all day and feed on wood and other cellulose-based materials.

Damages Caused by Carpenter Ants and Termites

Carpenter ants can weaken the structure of your home over time, but the damage is not as severe as termites. Termites are responsible for billions of dollars in damage each year in the United States due to their wood-consuming behavior.

Preventing Infestations

To prevent carpenter ants and termites from infesting your home, eliminate moisture sources, seal cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation, remove any rotting wood, maintain proper ventilation in crawl spaces, and make sure that wood debris is not in contact with the soil. If you suspect an infestation, it’s important to contact a professional Epping pest control company for proper identification and treatment.

Contact a Professional

Carpenter ants and termites can cause significant damage to your home, but with proper identification and preventative measures, you can protect your property. By understanding the key differences between carpenter ants and termites, you can take the necessary steps to keep your Epping home pest-free. If you think you have either of these wood-destroying pests, contact Identify Pest Control right away. 

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